Committee News Release
CJ2 001/2003
Thursday 13 November 2003
JUSTICE 2 COMMITTEE ENDORSES VULNERABLE WITNESSES BILL
Scottish Parliament’s Justice 2 Committee today endorsed the general principles of the Vulnerable Witnesses (Scotland) Bill.
The Bill’s purpose is to give better protection and assistance to vulnerable witnesses such as children and people with mental disorders, when giving evidence in court.
In particular, the Bill encourages greater use of special measures in court for these witnesses. Such measures will include the use of screens, giving evidence by television link, the use of a supporter in the courtroom and the ability to give evidence on commission.
Committee Convener Annabel Goldie said:
“Our Committee welcomes the Bill and recommends that the Parliament approves it at Stage 1.
“We believe that it is important that adequate support is provided for vulnerable people in the justice system and that this Bill takes the right step forward.
“However, along with the Finance Committee, we are concerned that the Bill has not been accurately costed. Unless there is proper funding in place, this Bill will not be able to help the very people it is designed to reach.”
In addition, the Committee made a number of recommendations in relation to the detail of the Bill. These include:
• some of the most vulnerable adult witnesses should be given more automatic right to the use of special measures,
• the option should be available for vulnerable witnesses to be able to apply to give evidence using special measures. The Bill currently requires this to be done by the party acting on behalf of the witness,
• supporters to vulnerable witnesses should also be allowed to be witnesses in the case. The Bill currently does not allow this to happen.
BACKGROUND NOTES
Cathy Jamieson, Minister for Justice introduced this Bill on 23 June
2003. The Bill will now proceed to a Stage 1 debate on 19 November, when
the full Parliament will be asked to agree the general principles of
the Bill.
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email: irene.fleming@scottish.parliament.uk
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